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John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.

Page 921

 
 
Plutarch. (A.D. 46?–A.D. c. 120) (continued)
 
8866
    Cato requested old men not to add the disgrace of wickedness to old age, which was accompanied with many other evils.
          Roman Apophthegms. Cato the Elder.
8867
    He said they that were serious in ridiculous matters would be ridiculous in serious affairs.
          Roman Apophthegms. Cato the Elder.
8868
    Cicero said loud-bawling orators were driven by their weakness to noise, as lame men to take horse.
          Roman Apophthegms. Cicero.
8869
    After the battle in Pharsalia, when Pompey was fled, one Nonius said they had seven eagles left still, and advised to try what they would do. “Your advice,” said Cicero, “were good if we were to fight jackdaws.”
          Roman Apophthegms. Cicero.
8870
    After he routed Pharnaces Ponticus at the first assault, he wrote thus to his friends: “I came, I saw, I conquered.” 1
          Roman Apophthegms. Cæsar.
8871
    As Cæsar was at supper the discourse was of death,—which sort was the best. “That,” said he, “which is unexpected.”
          Roman Apophthegms. Cæsar.
8872
    As Athenodorus was taking his leave of Cæsar, “Remember,” said he, “Cæsar, whenever you are angry, to say or do nothing before you have repeated the four-and-twenty letters to yourself.”
          Roman Apophthegms. Cæsar Augustus.
8873
    “Young men,” said Cæsar, “hear an old man to whom old men hearkened when he was young.”
          Roman Apophthegms. Cæsar Augustus.
8874
    Remember what Simonides said,—that he never repented that he had held his tongue, but often that he had spoken. 2
          Rules for the Preservation of Health. 7.
8875
    Custom is almost a second nature. 3
          Rules for the Preservation of Health. 18.
8876
    Epaminondas is reported wittily to have said of a good man that died about the time of the battle of Leuctra, “How came he to have so much leisure as to die, when there was so much stirring?”
          Rules for the Preservation of Health. 25.
 
Note 1.
Veni, vidi, vici. [back]
Note 2.
See Publius Syrus, Quotation 99. [back]
Note 3.
See “Of Unknown Authorship,” Quotation 2. Also Publius Syrus, Quotation 31. [back]